Barsoom Bound

The film, “John Carter” is about to be released and I, as a huge fan of the Edgar Rice Burroughs books, am waiting with baited breath.  I voraciously read the Barsoom (Mars) novels.  I’m due to read them again as a refresher; still the voices of Mars call to me.  The mighty Tars Tarkas, the beautiful & dangerous Princes of Mars – Dejah Thoris, and the noble Woola all still hold a place in my imagination.  And I was not alone in discovering that world of wonder.  I could tell you how influential the Mars books are; how far reaching the scope & imagination or how there would not be a “Star Wars” or “Avatar” without their first being, “A Princess of Mars” (the book in the Mars stories that the film is based on).  I could tell you all that and more but all that has already been done by Jesse Schedeen in the article, “Without John Carter There Would be No Star Wars”, which can be found right here: http://movies.ign.com/articles/121/1219006p1.html.  It is a great piece that illustrates just how important the Mars books have been to the tradition of storytelling.  And, Gentle Reader, furthering the tradition of storytelling is what it’s all about.

John Carter was in, ‘development hell’ for decades.  There were a host of very talented people wanting to bring Barsoom to the big screen but for whatever reason(s) the plans fell through.  The rights for the project came to Disney and they eventually hired Mr. Andrew Stanton, director of Pixar’s, “WALL-E” to bring the world of John Carter to life.  The man knows how to tell a story but it wasn’t until this article by Quint from Ain’t It Cool News entitled, “Quint travels to Barsoom and visits the John Carter Set!!!” that I discovered how much of a fan Stanton really is.  There are spoilers but I encourage you to read it right here: http://www.aintitcool.com/node/53465.  It is a wonderful visit loaded with interviews and some great behind the scenes shots that you will not see anywhere else.  Case in point?  Willem Defoe had to learn to speak Thark to play the part effectively while standing on stilts.  I love the shot of Defoe in the motion capture suit on stilts with the guy in the green-suit next to him.  I guess green-suit guy is his spotter.  Whatever the case read it!  It’s a great on-set article from Lake Mead, Utah; otherwise known as Barsoom.

The cast looks the part and it sounds like they are all very much so into their roles and have a sense of the source material – Edgar Rice Burroughs’ books.  It is my sincere hope that the cast and crew are successful in bringing Barsoom to the masses.  Further, I hope that the masses respond well to Barsoom.  This could be the flashpoint of a great, epic story and an amazing franchise.  With Stanton at the helm I believe that Mars is closer than I have ever imagined.

I have a date with a Princes of Mars on March 9^th!  I’ll be there opening night ~ Guaranteed.  How do I know this?  I am a fan of furthering the tradition of storytelling and John Carter deserves his due.    

Tropic Thunder

As you may or may not know, Gentle Reader, I follow movies. Usually summer blockbusters and fan boy stuff but movies and film nonetheless. Tropic Thunder has good spin. It’s had good spin for months. It’s a satirical comedy about a group of washed up Hollywood action heroes who are accidentally put into an actual war situation. Hilarity ensues. Ben Stiller directs and stars, Jack Black is involved and so is Robert Downey Jr. That’s a good cast people.

And now people are picketing the movie. Here’s what Harry from Ain’t It Cool News said on the subject; http://www.aintitcool.com/node/37873 and, low and behold, he’s got some very salient points. BTW – Harry and company do not usually shy away from language and ideals such as freedom of speech. Read the truth but be warned about the colorful metaphors that he uses to exercise said freedoms.

Mel Brooks said, “Political correctness is the death of humor.” That is a too true sort of statement. Mr. Brooks knows what he is talking about. Quite frankly I’d sooooooo much rather listen to him when it comes to funny than anyone who decides to picket a goofy satirical comedy just because the word, “retard” may or may not be used. Come on, life is entirely too short for such “controversy”. Mountainous Mole Hills are usually stacked to the heavens even when those causing the stir have NOT EVEN SEEN THE FILM! This has always amazed me and it happens on both sides of the fence – CENSORSHIP that is. Really? Yes. The pros and cons slap up picket signs and circle the wagons whenever their particular tree is shaken; see “The Last Temptation of Christ” and “The Passion of the Christ” if you don’t believe me. Both the pros and the cons were marching in front of the theaters for both these films. Both looked at the figure of Christ from different views and both were “controversial”. People picketed both of them.

…And for what? Really? For what?

If you don’t want to see a movie don’t go. Don’t support it with your hard earned dollars. But please, PLEASE don’t moan, complain or gripe about it unless you have actually SEEN the film. How myopic can you be? Hey here’s a novel idea, you don’t like the music that’s playing on the radio? Change the station. How about that TV show that got you upset about the plight of dogs in Ireland or China or wherever? Don’t watch it. Move along. There’s nothing to see here. It’s just not for you. And that’s ok – do you know why Gentle Reader? It’s because the world does not revolve around you or I for that matter. It is what it is. Oh we can do the whole ostrich thing and hide our heads in the sand but in spite of our very best efforts, the world moves on.

As tempting as Book Burning, film picketing, TV boycotts, music censorship or the whole concept of the thought police may be to you – you can not make an idea or ideal disappear just because its vehicle of deliverance is burnt, picketed or destroyed. You can’t pretend that people don’t have thoughts just because the ever-changing powers that be decide to burn them. That’s a bit fascist, no? You can burn a book but an idea? It’s just not that easy. Nor should it be.

Sermon over.

That being said I can’t wait to see Tropic Thunder at the multiplex. I hear that it is well written, acted and directed and that sounds like a winning ticket to me. The film points out the hypocrisy of Hollywood – something that is ripe to be lampooned. The movie is rated “R” so don’t bring the kiddies. It opens on 8/13/08. I’ll see you at the multiplex for this one – I’ll be the one smuggling in his Junior Mints and dodging the picketers.

The film will bring the funny; and I for one can’t wait.